The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) yesterday appealed to the federal government to consider them for inclusion in the planned palliative measures.
The union argued that it is an integral part of the society and remains one of the most vulnerable and low-income earners in Nigeria who are also affected by the removal of fuel subsidy by the government.
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National president of the union, Comrade Godwin Abumisi, told journalists at a briefing in Abuja that the removal of the fuel subsidy has further impoverished the vulnerable pensioners who are struggling for survival.
He also appealed that pensioners across board be considered for the proposed six months tax-free payment to public servants for 6 months as well as the payment of all outstanding liabilities to public/civil servants.
Abumisi also lamented that pensioners under PTAD are being owed various pension liabilities, including the 2015 pension increment which the union has been consistently pressing for its payment but to no avail.
The union requested the federal government to review pensions along with an upward review of civil servants’ salaries and called on the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress to always carry NUP along in the negotiation for any salary review.
“The Nigeria Union of Pensioners is the statutory custodian as well as the voice of Nigeria pensioners across the length and breadth of the country, wishes to categorically and unequivocally state and remind the federal government that pensioners must be included in the planned palliatives package.
“We believe whole-heartedly that if the above pension reviews are paid to our members as part of the proposed palliatives, it will go a long way to ameliorate the living conditions of our members who will have cause to smile once again to the credit of the Tinubu-led federal government”, he said.